Town Square

Hangar One report called 'half victory'

Original post made
on Aug 9, 2008

After two years of threatening to demolish Hangar One rather than restore the historic structure, the Navy announced last week that it plans to remove its toxic siding and leave the nearly 200-foot tall skeleton behind — a "half victory" for local preservationists, who say there won't be much to celebrate until difficult decisions are made over what to do with the bare frame.

Are the toxins in the siding really so terrible? The hanger has been there for 80 years, and have there really been any horrible effects. Aren't we nitpicking at a too small issue. Aren't there greater pollutants that would cost less (both monetary and historical value) to remedy.

Posted by Jon
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 14, 2008 at 9:21 am

I was raised at Moffett field from 1982 and call Moffett home. My response to the tear down of Hanger One is, Hanger One is a National landmark. The hanger was used from 1933, I believe, and through the 1990's housing various Naval aircraft with no concern. It seems like people are forgetting our history, trying to erase it, or do not even want to preserve it. With all those years gone by with little concern for the chemicals that might be lingering why are people so concerned about it now? I've watched the base become a ghost town since the Navy moved out and its sad. Hanger One is a landmark and means so many things to so many people. From the people that have lived here and called Moffett home to the people that drive by every day and see it on the freeways passing by. If the hanger would be torn down it would be a travesty. I also do not believe the hanger should be opened to the public, nor should the base. I'm in the military myself and for the public to roam around as if it was their own I'm a bit angry. I do believe in air shows and inviting people in on open houses but for public to come in freely, this is our home. How would you like it if the public would walk in your home and do what ever they like?